Fuse-lighter.



H. BARGMAN.

FUSE LIGHTER.

APPLICATION FILED APB..26,1909.

Patented J an. 4, 1910.

Mi'ncqsct .1

HARRY BARGMAN, F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

FUSE-LIGHTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 26, 1909.

Patented J an. a, 19-10.

Serial No. 492,374.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, IIARRY BARGMAN, a citizen of Russia, residing at LosAngeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Fuse-Lighters, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention pertains to fuse lighter, and particularly to aninflammable seal adapted to be placed on the free ends of fuses afterthe same have been inserted and camped in the blast holes of mines.

One of the principal objects of this inven-, tion is to provide a sealin the form of a cap which when ignited will convey to the powder ductof the fuse for a considerable ex- .tent the flame or h eat generated bythe burnv mines, the seepage extinguishes the lighted ends, and out of anumber of fuses that have been lighted, only a few of the same remainlighted until the explosive charge in the bottom of the drilled hole isreached. Under ordinary conditions, in dry mines, the fuse ends aresplit, and in transportation from one place to another, the exposedpowder drops out and recutting or splitting of the fuse ends isnecessary. Thus if after the placing of several fuses in the holes ofthe mines some are lighted and some only seemingly lighted, or some areextinguished by the seepage drippings, it is obvious that the majorportion of a days shift is valueless when it is found that out of alarge number of inserted fuses only a few have exploded the charges.Furthermore, re-splitting of a fuse or fuses after the balance of thesame have been lighted, is dangerous because of the explosion occurringbefore the miner has cleared the mine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a seal for the ends offuses, which is composed of highly inflammable material, is water-proof,and which by reason of its resiliency is capable of confining within itswalls an explosive charge, which is adapted to shoot its flame into theduct of the fuse.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists of thefeatures and details, as will be described in connection with theaccompanying drawing, and. then be more particularly pointed out in theclaims.

In the drawing, Figure 1, is a front elevation of the fuse lighter. Fig.2, is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3, is a sectional elevation ofthe same. Fig. 4-, is a front elevation of a cap showing the provisionof a crimping ferrule for the bottom of the cap.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 1, designates. a cap composed ofcelluloid or other inflammable substance, said cap being adapted to befitted over the free end of a fuse 2, and to be held thereon in a securemanner either by crimping or sealing. This cap comprises a strip ofcelluloid formed in the shape of a tube, and having one end thereofsealed as seen at 3, by pressing together two sides of the tubular body1, and welding them by pressure and heat in the presence of an adhesive.The cap then has a gradually reduced portion 4, which terminates in thewelded extremity 3, of the tubular body. Into this gradually reducedportion of the cap, is inserted in a plastic condition a small charge ofpowder which contains such ingredients as to make it harden rapidly, sothat it becomes a coherent part of the cap. In its plastic condition andby reason of its composition, the powder softens the walls of the capbut for a brief period until absolute desiccation thereof has takenplace. IV hen dry it is extremely hard and brittle and under theseconditions becomes a unit with the tubular body of celluloid. Theprovision of a charge of powder within the cap removes the necessity forforcing the igniter upon the free end of the fuse until the powdercharge rests upon or contacts with the powder duct or free end of thefuse. The igniter, when combusted, effectually communicates ignition tothe powder duct by shooting its blast of flame through the tubular bodyfor a distance of from one to two inches. Consequently the cap may befitted to the extreme end of the fuse so that a space of one inch may beleft between the said end of the fuse and the powder in the cap, withoutincurring any liability of failure to ignite the powder in the duct.Aside from the chemical action of the powder on the walls of the cap,the inherent resiliency of the walls at the bulging portion is such thata moldable quantity of explosive material may be inserted without incurring any danger of dislodgment by careless handling.

The cap in its completed form is coupled with no dangers whatsoever, forneither pressure nor severe shocks are capable of causing a detonationof the same, and the miner may with perfect safety carry about him anynumber of the filled caps regardless of conditions, excepting of coursethose where direct flame is concerned.

It will be noted that the terminus of the cap is extremely thin. Thisprovision is made for the purpose of enabling the same to be used as alighting tab, which easily ignites, and quickly communicates the flameor heat engendered to the powder charge, thereby igniting the fuse. v

By the provision of the caps on the ends of the fuses, the spitting of anumber of fuses is rendered possible, giving to the miner ampleopportunity to escape from the mine prior to the explosion of any of theblasts.

In order to render the bottom of the fuseigniter absolutely tightagainst any possible ingress of water, a sealing medium may be placed atthat point, and this sealing medium may be either in the nature of a waxor a water-proof compound, or the bottom of the cap may be crimped tosnugly embrace the fuse. To doubly prevent the entrance of water, Iprefer to provide a ferrule 5, shown in Fig. 4, at the bottom of thecap, which ferrule or ring may be of any suitable material preferablymetal.

What I claim, is:

1. A tubular celluloid seal for fuse ends having a lighting tab,provided with a metal ferrule adapted to be crimped on the fuse.

2. A fuse igniter comprising a tubular body of inflammable waterproofmaterial adapted to fit over and form a seal for the free end of a fuse,said body having confined within and inseparably united therewith apowder charge.

3. A fuse igniter comprising a tubular body of inflammable waterproofmaterial adapted to fit over and form a seal for the free end of a fuse,said body having confined within a charge of powder chemically unitedwith said tubular body.

4. A fuse igniter comprising a tubular body of inflammable waterproofmaterial sealed at one end to form a lighting tab, and a powdercomposition within said tubular body and united therewith by chemicalaction, said powder composition having a higher combustibility than saidtubular body whereby said body forms a guide for the flame of combustionof said powder.

5. A fuse igniter comprising a tubular body of inflammable waterproofmaterial adapted to fit over and snugly engage the free end of a fuse,said body having a gradually reduced portion terminating in a fiattenedlighting tab which forms a seal for the free end of said tubular body,and a powder charge within and united with said gradually reducedportion, said powder charge being in proximity to said tab.

6. A fuse igniter comprising a tubular body of celluloid arranged tosnugly engage and form a seal for the free end of a fuse, said tubularbody being flattened and sealed at one end to form a lighting tab, and apowder composition within said tubular body and in proximity to saidtab, said powder composition being arranged to adhere to and form a partof said tubular body.

In testimony whereof I have set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

HARRY BARGMAN.

Vitnesses H. M. BARsTow, ANTON GLonTzNER, Jr.

